PLYMOUTH, NH (07/01/2014)(readMedia)– The following students were awarded degrees from Plymouth State University at their 143rd Commencement ceremony May 17, 2014:

Lauren Burnett of Mystic, Connecticut, Master of Business Administration in General Management

Ethan Closius of Salem, Connecticut, Bachelor of Science in Social Studies Education

Jacob Fedors of Ledyard, Connecticut, Bachelor of Science in Meteorology

Ryan Neville of Bozrah, Connecticut, Bachelor of Science in Management

Tucker Regan of Niantic, Connecticut, Bachelor of Science in Psychology

Joshua Williams of Pawcatuck, Connecticut, Bachelor of Science in Management

Plymouth State University, located in central New Hampshire, offers a rich, student-focused learning environment with an enrollment of 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

The 170-acre campus offers a New England classic look combined with modern facilities including the Lamson Library and Learning Commons; the Boyd Science Center; the Silver Center for the Arts; Langdon Woods, a LEED certified, environmentally conscious residence hall; and the campus’s newest addition, PSU’s Welcome Center and Ice Arena. Plymouth State University is part of the University System of New Hampshire and is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

WATERVILLE, ME (07/01/2014)(readMedia)– Area residents were among 472 seniors who graduated from Colby College in Waterville, Maine, on May 25, receiving bachelor of arts degrees at the College’s 193rd Commencement. As guest speaker, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick spoke about the importance of presence in a rapidly changing world. “Human intimacy,” he said, “still depends on looking someone in the eye, touching them, actively listening, being present.” Colby President William D. Adams, presiding over his last commencement before stepping down June 30, handed a diploma to each of the graduates.

Emily R. Arsenault of Branford is the daughter of Laura Arsenault of Branford, Conn. and Alan Arsenault of Niantic, Conn., and majored in biology with a concentration in ecology and evolution and environmental studies with a science concentration.

Alison E. Smith of Gales Ferry is the daughter of James Smith of Gales Ferry, Conn. and Elizabeth Hammack of Lugoff, S.C., and majored in biology with a concentration in cell and molecular biology/biochemistry.

Founded in 1813, Colby College is the 12th-oldest independent liberal arts college in the nation. Colby provides a rigorous academic program that fosters transformational relationships between students and faculty. Graduates emerge as leaders ready to make an impact on their world. Colby is committed to making the full experience accessible to all qualified students, regardless of their ability to pay. The College enrolls 1,825 students.

PLYMOUTH, NH (06/30/2014)(readMedia)– The following students have been named to Plymouth State University’s President’s List. To be named to the President’s List, a student must achieve a grade point average of 3.7 or better for the fall semester and must have attempted at least 12 credit hours during the semester. These credit hours must be in courses that earn grade points and the student must have completed all such courses attempted.

Ethan Closius of Salem CT

Brian Duggan of Norwich CT

Jade Romagna of Uncasville CT

Plymouth State University, located in central New Hampshire, offers a rich, student-focused learning environment with an enrollment of 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

The 170-acre campus offers a New England classic look combined with modern facilities including the Lamson Library and Learning Commons; the Boyd Science Center; the Silver Center for the Arts; Langdon Woods, a LEED certified, environmentally conscious residence hall; and the campus’s newest addition, PSU’s Welcome Center and Ice Arena. Plymouth State University is part of the University System of New Hampshire and is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

WORCESTER, MA (06/26/2014)(readMedia)– The following residents were part of Becker College’s Class of 2014, which graduated during the college’s 226th commencement ceremony, held on Saturday, May 10, 2014, at 11:00 a.m., at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester. Three hundred and fifty four candidates were awarded bachelor of science, bachelor of arts, and associate of science degrees. Becker alumnus Len Gengel, Class of 1984, delivered the keynote address.

Christina D. Boucher, of Pawcatuck, graduated with a BS in Exercise Science.

Katelin Burdick, of Pawcatuck, graduated with a BS in Business Administration.

Amanda Lynne Hamilton, of Waterford, graduated with a BS in Veterinary Science.

Gengel addressed the Class of 2014, charging them to be proud of their accomplishments and to realize the value of their Becker education. “Thirty years ago I sat right where you are sitting,” he said. “Becker College gave me the foundation for my life and I didn’t even realize it. It is the footing that holds you up. Even in your darkest hour, what you have learned here will help you through it.”

In 2010, Gengel’s life changed when he learned his daughter, Britney, was killed in the catastrophic earthquake that devastated the country of Haiti. Since that fateful day, Gengel and his wife, Cherylann, and their family, have dedicated themselves to improving the lives of the children of Haiti through the Be Like Brit orphanage.

After running his building company for 30 years, Gengel retired to focus on founding and constructing the 19,000-square-foot Be Like Brit orphanage in Grand Goave, Haiti. In Britney’s final text message to Cherylann, she told her mother that she hoped to move to Haiti and start an orphanage someday. This text message prompted Len and Cherylann to turn their personal tragedy into a passion to honor their daughter’s last wish–to provide a home and an education to poverty-stricken children in Haiti, and to raise the next generation of Haiti’s leaders. In January 2013, Britney’s dream–and the Gengels’ hard work–came to fruition when the Be Like Brit orphanage opened. Len and Cherylann co-wrote a book, Heartache and Hope in Haiti: The Britney Gengel Story, chronicling their moving and inspirational experiences.

“When your life starts hitting the wall, take that book out,” said Gengel, who, along with Cherylann and the Becker Alumni Association, is providing each graduate with a copy. “They said I couldn’t build an earthquake-proof orphanage in Haiti … People are going tell you that you can’t do something. But let me whisper something to you–you can do it. I know you can. You’ve got this. Don’t let them tell you it is impossible.”

Becker College bestowed upon Gengel an honorary doctorate degree of humane letters. Gengel was honored for his commitment to the entrepreneurial spirit and strong, community-focused values.

“The Becker College Class of 2014 could not have a more striking example of transformation, determination, and social responsibility as they embark on their personal and professional journeys,” said Becker College President Robert E. Johnson, Ph.D. “A Becker alumnus, Len is an example of what it means to be a global citizen.”

Becker’s mission is to transform students into global citizens, which led the college to form a partnership with Be Like Brit in 2012. Since then, three groups of Becker faculty, staff and students have gone to Haiti. During these trips, 36 individuals have volunteered more than 105 hours of service helping with orphanage construction, making repairs to employee houses, and collecting and donating supplies.

Gengel, who started a successful company-C&S Builders (an acronym for College Student)-in 1982 while he was a student, garnered many accolades during his three decades in the business. Gengel’s accomplishments include Homebuilder of the Year Award in Massachusetts and designation as “A Quality Builder,” in the book Recognition, Gratitude, and Celebration, published in 2007.

Becker also awarded an honorary doctoral degree to Cherylann Gengel, co-founder and treasurer of Be Like Brit, and to Dr. Sheila Harrity, principal of Worcester Technical High School, for their achievements of extraordinary and lasting distinction and for demonstrating personal and professional qualities that are consistent with the mission and values of Becker College.

Dr. Harrity has been the principal of Worcester Technical High School since 2006. She was selected as the Massachusetts Principal of the Year in 2013, the same year Worcester Tech received the National Blue Ribbon Sch0ol distinction for outstanding student achievement from the U.S. Department of Education. In late 2013, she was honored nationally as the 2014 MetLife/National Association of Secondary School Principals National High School Principal of the Year. Dr. Harrity was selected as the 1997 Teacher of the Year for Worcester Public Schools, has been inducted into the Worcester Public Schools Athletic Hall of Fame, and a Massachusetts State Teacher of the Year semi-finalist in 1998.

Cherylann Gengel is a wife, a mother, a business partner, a community leader, and was recently named one of “25 Women Changing the World” by Conversations magazine. She helped turn the loss of her daughter, Britney, into the gift of a better life for children in a country torn by catastrophe and poverty. As treasurer for the Britney Gengel’s Poorest of the Poor Fund, Gengel devotes her time and energy to influence others to make a difference by investing in the mission of the Be Like Brit orphanage, to “serve the children of Haiti by establishing a safe, nurturing, and sustainable orphanage in an environment where they can grow, learn, and thrive.”

The commencement ceremony had a special meaning for Dr. Johnson, as the Class of 2014 is the first full cycle of students to graduate since he became Becker’s tenth president in 2010. “Every class that graduates from this institution is special, but you are especially important to me,” he told the graduates. “We started this journey together four years ago. And we can now say ‘we did it’ together.”

Awards of distinction were presented to graduating seniors. The President’s Award, which recognizes a graduate who has shown outstanding school spirit, leadership, and community service, was presented to Jacqueline L. Chila (Business Administration). Katelyn M. Burns (Criminal Justice: Forensics/Crime Scene Processing) received the Samuel May Award, which recognizes a graduate who has shown scholastic achievement, excellence in character, and leadership. The Dean’s Award, which is given to the graduate with the highest grade point average in the bachelor’s degree program, was presented to Timothy J. Donahue (Graphic Design).

ONEONTA, NY (06/26/2014)(readMedia)– Tyler Johnson of Salem, is among the 904 students who graduated from SUNY Oneonta following the spring 2014 semester. The college’s commencement ceremony was held on Saturday, May 17.

A liberal arts institution with a strong focus on undergraduate research, SUNY Oneonta consistently gains recognition for delivering excellence and value. The college has been named to Kiplinger’s list of “100 Best Values in Public Colleges” for eight consecutive years, was ranked No. 2 on the 2014 Kiplinger’s list of “10 Best Public Colleges With Lowest Debt at Graduation” and sits at No. 16 on the 2014 U.S. News and World Report list of the best public institutions in the region.The college enrolls 6,000 students in its 70 undergraduate majors and 14 graduate programs.

KINGSTON, RI (06/25/2014)(readMedia)– The University of Rhode Island and families recently celebrated the achievements of more than 680 students who received their master’s or doctoral degrees at the Graduate Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 17 at the Thomas M. Ryan Center on the Kingston Campus.

The following students from your area graduated from URI with graduate degrees:

Alisa Morrison of Stonington, received a Doctor of Philosophy, Environmental Science: Natural Resources

Allana Allik of Pawcatuck, received a Master of Arts, English

Katherine Castagno of North Stonington, received a Master of Arts, Marine Affairs

Elizabeth Bachert of Stonington, received a Master of Business Administration

Elvyn Rodriguez of East Lyme, received a Master of Business Administration

Richard Griffiths of Mystic, received a Master of Business Administration

Gregory Withbroe of Gales Ferry, received a Master of Business Administration

Melissa Cliett of Gales Ferry, received a Master of Business Administration

Nels Hanson of Waterford, received a Master of Business Administration

Philip Dent of Groton, received a Master of Business Administration

Richard Buckley of East Lyme, received a Master of Business Administration

Lisa DeGraff of Mystic, received a Master of Science, Human Development and Family Studies

Wendy Petersen of East Lyme, received a Master of Science, Computer Science

Ryan Rainone of Groton, received a Master of Science, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics

Salome Miclette of Baltic, received a Master of Science, Human Development and Family Studies

Taylor Lalonde of Uncasville, received a Master of Science, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics

The University of Rhode Island’s pioneering research extends the University’s influence well beyond its coastal borders, while its unique interdisciplinary courses provide its 16,637 undergraduate and graduate students with global opportunities in an intimate environment. In May 2014, more than 3,100 undergraduate and 680 graduate degrees were awarded. The University now has more than 115,000 alumni worldwide.

BRISTOL, RI (06/25/2014)(readMedia)– The following local residents are among those to be named to the Roger Williams University Dean’s List for the Spring 2014 semester. Full-time students who complete 12 or more credits per semester and earn a GPA of 3.4 or higher are placed on the Dean’s List that semester.

Thomas Brubaker, majoring in Biology of Niantic

Vernecia Dula, majoring in Psychology of Groton

Shelby Dumond, majoring in Accounting of Colchester

Charlotte Herz, majoring in Secondary Education of Norwich

Matthew Jones, majoring in Engineering of Gales Ferry

Rebecca Knudsen, majoring in Elementary Education of Lebanon

Kaila Madera, majoring in Criminal Justice/Psychology of Norwich

Alexa Paparelli, majoring in Engineering of Preston

Jenna Paternostro, majoring in Global Communication of Essex

James Paternostro, majoring in Media Communication of Essex

Giovanni Pinto, majoring in Journalism of Groton

Jessica Reed, majoring in Marketing of Essex

Garrett Russ, majoring in International Relations of Waterford

Sarah Stamm, majoring in Psychology of Stonington

Jacob Steinhoff, majoring in Finance of Mystic

Albert Volpe, majoring in Marine Biology of Niantic

About RWU: Roger Williams University, located in Bristol, RI, is a leading independent, coeducational university with programs in the liberal arts and the professions, where students become community- and globally-minded citizens through project-based, experiential learning. Offering 43 majors and a plethora of co-curricular activities as well as study abroad options, RWU is dedicated to the success of students, commitment to a set of core values, the pursuit of affordable excellence and to providing a relevant, world-class education above all else. In the last decade, the University has achieved unprecedented successes including recognition as one of the best colleges in the nation by Forbes, a College of Distinction by Student Horizons, Inc. and as both a best college in the Northeast and one of the nation’s greenest universities by The Princeton Review.

HUNTINGDON, PA (06/25/2014)(readMedia)– Juniata College has named 398 students to the dean’s list for the 2014 spring semester. Each student must have at least a 3.6 grade average out of a possible 4.0.

Tristan John Avelis of Amston, son of Michael L. Avelis and Victoria H. Avelis and a 2012 graduate of Xavier High School was named to the 2014 spring dean’s list.

Juniata College is a national liberal arts college located in Huntingdon, PA. With an enrollment of 1650, Juniata is a community dedicated to providing the highest quality liberal arts education.

ALBANY, NY (06/23/2014)(readMedia)–The College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY, today announced that Bridget Buckley of East Lyme is one of 1,687 students who earned degrees and certificates of advanced study as members of the Saint Rose Class of 2014.

Bridget received a Bachelor of Science.

The College of Saint Rose (www.strose.edu) is a dynamic, progressive college of 4,700 students in the heart of New York’s capital city where teaching is the first priority. With a rigorous liberal education curriculum, 70 undergraduate majors, 53 master’s degrees and 25 graduate certificates, and a mission of service to the urban community, the Saint Rose experience empowers students to improve themselves and the world around them.

SPRINGFIELD, MA (06/23/2014)(readMedia)– The following students received degrees from Western New England University on May 17, 2014.

Chelsea Brochu of Oakdale.

Colton Craig of Gales Ferry.

Jesse DeLucca of East Lyme. Jesse graduated Magna Cum Laude, which signifies scholastic excellence and is awarded at graduation to students who have achieved a grade point average between 3.60 and 3.80.

Rochelle Duyan of Gales Ferry.

Gina Marshall of Norwich. Gina graduated Cum Laude. This honor signifies scholastic excellence and is awarded at graduation to students who have achieved a grade point average between 3.30 and 3.60.

Molly McKenna of Groton. Molly graduated Magna Cum Laude, which signifies scholastic excellence and is awarded at graduation to students who have achieved a grade point average between 3.60 and 3.80.

Patrick O’Rourke of Baltic. Patrick graduated Cum Laude. This honor signifies scholastic excellence and is awarded at graduation to students who have achieved a grade point average between 3.30 and 3.60.

Troy Powell of Ledyard. Powell graduated Cum Laude. This honor signifies scholastic excellence and is awarded at graduation to students who have achieved a grade point average between 3.30 and 3.60.

Daniel Sanford of Amston.

Tyler Underwood of Mystic. Underwood graduated Cum Laude. This honor signifies scholastic excellence and is awarded at graduation to students who have achieved a grade point average between 3.30 and 3.60.

Melissa Weaver of Colchester.

Gavin Winchell of Colchester.

Western New England University is a private, independent, coeducational institution founded in 1919. Located on an attractive 215-acre suburban campus in Springfield, MA, Western New England serves 3,800 students, including 2,500 full-time undergraduate students. Undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs are offered through Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Engineering, Pharmacy, and the School of Law.